ANNUAL SALUTE TO NAMA'S AGRIBUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEARABOUT THE AWARDMay 2006ABOUT THE AWARD

Agriliance LLC's President/CEO George Thornton is this year's recipient of the National Agri-Marketing Association's (NAMA) AgriBusiness Leader of the Year award. George joined other legendary agribusiness people when he was presented the award at the annual NAMA convention held in Kansas City, MO.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE

The award honors outstanding leaders in agribusiness, education, government service or other agribusiness-related areas. Nominees are accepted from senior-level positions in private, public or academic organizations and do not need to be NAMA members.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING

A judging panel, which includes several past recipients, determine the recipient, based on the following criteria:

Leadership (40 points): What is the nominee's unique approach to leading others? Demonstrate the nominee's role as a leader within the agricultural industry and far reaching impact on the agribusiness community. How has the nominee made exceptional contributions and exemplified excellence in agribusiness?

Innovative Ability (20 points): What is the nominee's understanding of current issues and needs related to agribusiness? How has the nominee's leadership style contributed to unique approaches and demonstrated leadership in action?

Accomplishments (20 points): The nominee's creative solutions regarding issues of national importance. What achievements have distinguished the nominee within the past two years?

Industry Leadership (20 points): What role has the nominee played in professional organizations (primarily those serving agribusiness, farmers or ranchers).

For more information on the award, and how to nominate your AgriBusiness Leader of the Year, go to www.nama.org. AM